Virginia Beach Seeks Citizen Input on the Future of Cable Television Services in Our Community

Monday, June 30, 2014 · 12:00 pm

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – June 30, 2014 – Virginia Beach citizens have the opportunity to tell the city and Verizon what types of cable television-related services they need or want in their community in the coming years.

The city of Virginia Beach has begun the process of renewing its cable television franchise with Verizon. The cable television franchise is an agreement between the city and Verizon whereby Verizon is permitted to use city rights-of-way and easements (our streets and other public property) to construct, maintain and operate a cable system. By law, the city can negotiate certain conditions of the franchise on behalf of the citizens. Verizon provides the government channels (45, 46, 47), a link to facilitate the cablecast of our public meetings, and a capital grant to buy and replace the equipment used to create and distribute the VBTV programming.

As part of the renewal process, the city will be identifying cable television-related needs and interests of its citizens for the term of the renewed cable television franchise. The Cable TV Community Needs Assessment Survey is one of the ways through which the city will identify those needs. Citizen input will be an important factor in the forthcoming negotiations with Verizon, and those who live or work in Virginia Beach are encouraged to participate in the renewal process by taking a few minutes to complete the survey.

To take the survey, go to www.VBgov.com/CableFranchise and click the survey link. A copy of the current Verizon Cable Television Franchise can also be found on the web page.